Evidence supporting the use of: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
For the health condition: Cancer (prevention)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and Cancer Prevention: Scientific Evidence Overview
DHA, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found abundantly in fish oil, has garnered interest for its potential role in cancer prevention and support. The rationale for its use is primarily supported by scientific investigation, though the evidence is still emerging and not yet definitive.
Mechanistically, DHA is believed to exert anti-cancer effects through several pathways, including the modulation of cell membrane composition, reduction of inflammation, induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death) in malignant cells, and inhibition of angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors). Additionally, DHA may reduce the production of certain eicosanoids and cytokines that promote tumor growth.
Preclinical studies (animal and cell culture models) have provided robust evidence that DHA can inhibit the growth of various cancer cells, including breast, colon, and prostate cancers. However, when translating these findings to humans, the clinical evidence remains limited and somewhat inconsistent. Some observational studies suggest a correlation between higher dietary intake of DHA (or fish consumption) and reduced cancer risk, particularly for colorectal and breast cancers. Nonetheless, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in humans have not consistently demonstrated a significant preventive effect.
Overall, the scientific evidence supporting DHA for cancer prevention is promising but preliminary. More large-scale, well-designed human trials are needed to establish definitive recommendations. As such, DHA is not yet a standard therapy for cancer prevention, but may be considered as a supportive dietary component within the context of a balanced diet.
More about DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
More about Cancer (prevention)
Other ingredients used for Cancer (prevention)
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
8-Bromo-7-Methoxychrysin
Abalone
Acacetin
Acai berry
Acemannan
Acetogenin
Achyranthes
Adzuki bean
Agarikon Mushroom
AHCC
Ajoene
Akkermansia muciniphila
Alantolactone
Albizia
Algae
algal oil
Algal protein
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allophycocyanin
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl mercaptan
Allyl sulfide
Alpha-carotene
alpha-humulene
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
alpha-methylselenobutanoic acid
alpinia galangal
amentoflavone
American Pawpaw
amethoflavone
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
amygdalin
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
ankaflavin
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
anthocyanosides
anti-aromatase
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
apple
apricot
arabinoxylan
Aralia
arctiin
Ardisia
Arjunolic acid
Armillaria mellea
Aronia melanocarpa
Artepillin C
arugula
ashitaba
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
aster root
Asteraceae
astragalin
astragaloside
astragalus
atractylone
Auricularia
avocado
bacteria
bael
baicalein
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
banyan
baobab
barbasco
barberry
barley
Basidiomycota
basil
Bassia scoparia
Bauhinia
bayleaf
bean
bee pollen
bee products
bee propolis
Beef liver
beet
benzyl isothiocyanate
berberine
bergenin
berry
beta and delta tocopherols
beta caryophyllene
beta-carotene
beta-glucan
beta-lapachone
beta-sitosterol
betanin
betulinic acid
Bidens pilosa
bignay
biochanin
biota seed
black cumin
black galingale
black garlic
black ginger
black seed
black tea
black walnut
blackberry
blueberry
Boerhavia diffusa
bok choy
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Boswellia
bran
branched-chain amino acids
Brassica
Brazil nut
breadnut
broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Buckwheat
burdock
Butea monosperma
butein
butenyl isothiocyanate
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
C-phycocyanin
cabbage
Caesalpinia crista
caffeic Acid
calycosin
Camellia sinensis
cancerina
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
capsaicinoids
capsanthin
capsicum
carnosic acid
carnosol
carotene (unspecified)
carrot
carvacrol
caryophyllene
casticin
cat's claw
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
cayenne pepper
Celastrus
Celosia
Centella asiatica
chaga mushroom
chalcone
champignon
cherry
chia seed
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese salvia root
chirata
chlorella
chlorogenic acid
chlorophyll
chlorophyllin
chocolate
chokeberry
Chordaria cladosiphon
chrysanthemum
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamic acid
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
cistanche
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus pectin
Clostridium butyricum
clove
cocoa
coconut oil
cod liver oil
coix
collard
commiphora
condurango
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
Coprinus
cordyceps
corilagin
coriolus mushroom
costus
coumaric acid
cowage seed
cowherb
crocetin
cruciferous
cryptoxanthin
Cucurbita
cumin
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
curry leaf
cyanidin
cyanobacteria
cynaropicrin
Cynomorium
cytokines
d-alpha tocopherol
d-glucarate
daidzein
daidzin
date
decursin
delphinidin
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl sulfide
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
Dichrostachys glomerata
didymin
Dihydrocapsaicin
DIM (diindolylmethane)
diosgenin
diosmetin
dithiolthiones
DNA
docosahexaenoic Acid
dodder
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
Dumontiaceae
Dunaliella
Dunaliella salina
E-Viniferin
Ecklonia
Eclipta
eicosapentaenoic acid
eleuthero
ellagic acid
ellagitannin
emblicanin
enokitake
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epicatechin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
equol (proprietary)
ergothioneine
eurycomanone
evodiamine
farnesol
fatty acids
fern
ferulic acid
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fisetin
fish
fish oil
fish protein
Flammulina velutipes
flavanols
flavanones
flavans
flavones
flavonoids
flavonolignan
flavonols
flavonones
flaxseed
Flueggea suffruticosa
fo-ti
folate
Fomitopsis pinicola
formononetin
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fucoidan
fucosterol
fucoxanthin
fungus
Gac
Galangal
galangin
gallate
gallic acid
gamma tocopherol
ganoderma
garcinol
Garcinone A
Garcinone B
Garcinone C
Garcinone D
Garcinone E
garden cress
garlic
garlic bulb
Gelidiella acerosa
genistein
genistin
geraniol
geranylgeraniol
Gigartina
ginger
ginkgetin
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glabridin
Glucan peptides
Glucoraphanin
Glucosinolates
Glutathione
goji berry
gooseberry
grape
grapefruit
Graviola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
Guava
Gypenoside
Haematococcus pluvialis
heal-all
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
Herb Robert
hericium mushroom
hesperetin
hesperidin
hibiscus
HMR lignan
Honokiol
Huang hua
Humulones
hydroxycinnamic acid
hydroxymatairesinol
hydroxytyrosol
Hyperoside
Hyphomycetes
hypsizygus marmoreus
icariin
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian sarsparilla
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
indole-3-carbinol
iridoids
Isatis
Isoalantolactone
isodon rubescens
isoflavones
isoliquiritigenin
isoquinoline alkaloids
isosilybin
isothiocyanates
isovitexin
Jaboticaba
Java brucea
jiaogulan
Job\'s tears
jujube
Kaempferol
kale
Kefir
Kefiran
kelp
kiwi
knotweed
Kohlrabi
Kokilaksha
Kombucha
Lactoferrin
Laggera pterodonta
Laminaria
Lapachol
Lebbek
Legume protein
lemon
lemongrass
Lentil
Lentinan
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Leptadenia
lichen
lignans
Ligusticum
Ligustrazin
Ligustrum
limonene
Limonium sinense
limonoid
lingzhi
lion's mane
long pepper
loquat
Loranthus
lotus
lupulone
lutein
luteolin
lychee
Lycium
lycopene
Lycoris
Macaranga indica
Maclura tricuspidata
magnolol
maitake mushroom
malvidin
mangiferin
mangostanol
mangosteen
mangostene xanthone
mangostin
marigold
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Marine protein
Maslinic acid
Matcha
Mayapple
Maytenus ilicifolia
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Melia
Mesima
Methoxylated flavones
Methylselenocysteine
Milk Protein
Millettia
mixed carotenoids
Momordica
Momordicosides
Mondo grass
Monoterpenes
Morinda
Moringa
Morus
Mulberry
Mushroom
mustard seed
Myricetin
Myricitrin
Myrosinase
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Naringenin
Naringin
Neem tree
Neoandrographolides
Nettle
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
Nigella seed
Nobiletin
Nomilin
noni
nopal
nut grass
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
Oleuropein
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Oligosaccharides
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
onion
Onosma bracteatum
oolong tea
orange
Oroxylum indicum
Osmanthus
Osthole
oyster mushroom
pagoda tree
Pansit-pansitan
papaya
Paris polyphylla
parsley
parthenolide
pau d'arco
paw paw
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Pepper
perilla
Periwinkle
Persimmon
Petiveria
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
phlorotannins
Phthalides
Phycocyanin
Physalis angulata
Phytoecdysteroid
Phytoestrogens
phytosterols
Piceid
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piperine
Pistachio
Pleurotus eryngii
plum fruit
Podophyllum
Pokeweed
Polydatin
Polygonatum
Polygonum
polymethoxylated flavones
polyphenols
polyporous mushroom
polysaccharides
pomegranate
pomelo
Poncirin
Portulaca
proanthocyanidins
procyanidin
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
Propolis
protein
Puerarin
pumpkin
punicalagins
punicic acid
punicosides
purslane
Pyrrosia
quail egg
quercetin
quinoa
radish
raspberry
red clover
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Rhabdosia rubescens
rhizome
rhubarb
root tuber
Rosa roxburghii
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
Rubiaceae
rutin
S-allylcysteine
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
Sapogenin
saponins
Sargassum
Schisandrins
Schizophyllum commune
seaweed
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
Selaginella
selenium
Selenocysteine
Selenomethionine
Semecarpus anacardium
sesame
Sesamin
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
Sete sangrias
shen-chu
shiitake mushroom
Shilajit
Shogaol
Sichuan Lovage
Silybin
Sinensetin
Sinigrin
Smartweed
smilax
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Sotetsuflavone
soursop
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
soybean
Sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
spirulina
stigmasterol
Stilbenoid
strawberry
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
suma
Sword Bean
Syringic acid
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Taraxasterol
Taxifolin
Tea
Terpenoids
Theaflavin
Thiosulfinate
Thistle
Thymoquinone
Thymus
Tiliroside
Tinospora cordifolia
tocotrienols
Trametes
Trans-pterostilbene
Tremella
tributyrin
Triphala
Triterpenes
Tulbaghia
Tumerone
Turkey tail mushroom
turmeric
Turmerones
Tylophorine
typhonium
Typhonium flagelliforme
Uncaria
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
Vegetable Protein
Verbascoside
Vestitol
Vicenin
Vine tea
Viniferin
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Vitexin
Wakame
Walnut
Wasabi
Water Pepper
Watercress
Wax Gourd
wheat germ
wheat grass
Whey protein
White Tea
Withanolides
Wogonin
Xanthohumol
Xanthone
Xanthoparmelia
Xanthophyll
Xanthorrhizol
Xylaria nigripes
Yacon
Yellow root
Yerba mate
Yumberry
Yuzu
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
Alzheimer's DiseaseAnxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Convulsions
Coordination
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Macular Degeneration
Memory and Brain Function
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Post Partum Depression
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Stress
Strokes
Triglycerides (high)
Products containing DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
Thorne
Advanced DHA
Vitabase
Brain Support
Vitabase
Complete Essential Fatty Acids
Pure Encapsulations
DHA Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations
DHA Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations
EFA Essentials
Pure Encapsulations
Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA essentials 1,000 mg
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA essentials 1,000 mg
Vitabase
EPA / DHA Omega-3
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA with Lemon
Pure Encapsulations
EPA Ultimate
Klean Athlete
Klean Omega ™
Douglas Laboratories
Krill Oil
Pure Encapsulations
Krill-Plex
Pure Encapsulations
Krill-Plex
Metagenics
MetaKids DHA
Metagenics
MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
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MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations
NeuroMood Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Omega
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Omega
Thorne
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Thorne
Omega Superb Lemon Berry
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OmegaGenics Algae EPA-DHA 300 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics EPA DHA 2400 Fish Oil
Metagenics
OmegaGenics EPA-DHA 300 Lemon Lime
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
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OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil Mega 10®
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OmegaGenics Neuro 1000 mg
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po Liquid
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OmegAvail™ Liquid
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Synergy
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OmegAvail™ Synergy
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ TG1000
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OmegAvail™ Ultra
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra
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OmegAvail™ Ultra DHA
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra with Vitamin D3, K1 and K2
Douglas Laboratories
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Douglas Laboratories
Opti-EPA 500 ™ Cholesterol Free
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Thorne
Prenatal DHA
Pure Encapsulations
Pro-Resolve Omega
Thorne
Pro-Resolving Mediators
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega HP
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega Liquid
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega Ultra HP
Pure Encapsulations
PureNutrients EPA/DHA
Douglas Laboratories
QÜELL® FISH OIL DHA Ultra SPM
Douglas Laboratories
QUELL Fish Oil ® - EPA/DHA Plus D
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SPM Active
Thorne
Super EPA
Thorne
Super EPA NSF
Thorne
Super EPA Pro
Vitabase
Super Omega-3
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra G.L.A. Borage Oil
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra G.L.A. Borage Oil
Pure Encapsulations
Ultra Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Designs For Health
XanthOmega™ Krill Oil
